Geomagnetic Dating Methods in Archaeology

Publisher Summary Most studies of culture change that are at the heart of archaeological research depend on control of the temporal dimension. This chapter discusses some archaeo-magnetic direction dating and other geomagnetic dating methods. These methods can contribute to the solution of important chronological problems in archaeology. The term “archaeo-magnetic dating” refers to the archaeological dating methods that are based on secular variation of the geomagnetic field. It has been used specifically for the dating method based on secular variation of direction using baked clay samples. The impact of the most widely used archaeological dating method, radiocarbon, has been described as revolutionary. The application of this method, which was an integral part of the transformation of archaeology, has led to the resolution of many culture-historical problems; thus, allowing archaeologists more time to devote to processual studies. However, radiocarbon dating has not solved, nor is it capable of solving, all chronometric problems.